Okay, I'm sorry! I didn't realize that my PC and my Mac would both have trouble through today. I finally got them working again and I'll be posting the next chapter on the 29th.

I'll address the questions someone asked me in the footnote. You've waited long enough:

Elma stepped out of the Barracks with Lin and Team RWBY, as they preferred to be called, trailing her. Elma heard Lin point out her pride and joy as they stepped out into the streets.

"Get a load of that Skell!" Lin exclaimed, a wide smile spreading across her face. "Even the way they walk is so cool!"

The four huntresses stood in awe as they saw the large mechanized battle-suit slowly lumber past them and make its way across the administrative district. The robot was covered head to toe in weaponry, ranging from Falchions to shoulder-mounted grenade launchers to belt mounted automatic rifles. Ruby was speechless from the range of options. Weiss was impressed by the advanced technology that went into building such a mech. Yang looked like Nora who had just been given the permission to hit something with her hammer.

Lin's smile turned into a larger grin. "Oh yeah, baby, work it! Mmmm-Mmmm-Mmmm."

Team RWBY all turned and looked at her, each with their own unique expression. Yang looked back in horror, almost as if she had just been shown tentacle hentai. Blake had a deadly glare etched onto her face, promising that the next time Lin did that, Blake would gut her like a fish. Weiss was thoroughly disgusted at the sound she heard, and looked like she was about to vomit. Ruby looked like she was given a plate of cookies.

Lin noticed Ruby's interest. "Now THIS girl gets it! Skells are amazing! The lasers, the force fields, the bipedal AND vehicular modes?! I could dream about their functions and features all year!"

Ruby let out a gleeful squeal. "Not to mention the grenades, rockets, and interchangeable blades!"

Lin high-fived Ruby. "Yeaaah, you know what I'm talking about."

Elma cleared her throat before anything could get out of hand. "Ruby, Yang, we need to get you two geared up and registered. Lin, you and Ruby can geek out later."

Weiss crossed her arms. "I think we could learn a little more from their use in BLADE."

Elma shrugged. "Skells were initially developed as a defensive measure to combat potential extraterrestrial threats. While it wasn't enough to save Earth, we were able to flee Earth because of them. Regardless, we've managed to grow New LA to this level within two short months due to the advanced technology." She turned to Ruby. "I'd love to get you all into some to experience them for yourselves, but there is a lengthy process to get clearance."

Lin crossed her arms. "First, only Blades are allowed to become Skell Pilots. Second, we have a limited number, so to pilot them, you need a license."

Weiss nodded. "Considering we're talking about highly destructive weapons that require a level of control, I can understand that."

Blake frowned. "How rigorous is the certification process?"

Elma shook her head. "You'll be working for quite a while. It's a selective process based on accomplishments and necessity. They chose the pilots, not the other way around."

Blake nodded. "Duly noted."

Elma turned to face armory alley. "Ruby and Yang are going to need some updated weaponry. Weiss, do you have the credits they'll need?"

Weiss held up a chip card. "Right here."

Ruby had already passed by them at this point. When they caught up with her, she was ogling over every weapon and the specified strengths and weaknesses.

"Do I go sniper rifle and lance? Raygun and knife? Gatling gun and shield? Psycho launchers and photon sword? Assault rifle and longsword? Dual guns and swords? I CAN'T DECIDE!"

Weiss barely made it in time to catch her partner as she fainted. "Take it easy, Ruby. Let's get Yang her gear before we select yours."

Yang took one look at the console and selected a set of dual handguns. "It's pretty similar to my style, but I'm sticking to the Ember Celica for melee combat."

Elma looked at her with concern. "This isn't just a matter of comfort while fighting. This is about survival. Keeping your weapons up to code and upgrading as often as possible help to minimize the casualties."

Yang shrugged. "I'm a brawler back on Remnant. I've never really used any other weapon for a longer period of time."

Weiss shook her head, looking at Ruby, who was still freaking out over which weapon set to use. "Ruby!" she yelled at her team leader. "Just pick one!"

Ruby slapped herself. "Alright, sniper rifle and longsword."

Weiss tapped in the command and all three weapons were dispensed from the machine. Ruby immediately grabbed the sniper rifle and examined it like she was going to clone it. Yang picked up the dual guns and popped the cartridges, figuring out how to reload quickly.

Elma crossed her arms. "You'll get the hang of reloading in battle after a few more fights." She turned to Ruby. "As for you, calm down. You'll have plenty of time to care for your weapons later."

Ruby nodded, sheathing the sword onto her back and hanging the sniper rifle from her belt. "I'm still a little sad that Crescent Rose won't be used."

Yang smirked at her. "Don't worry, sis. We'll keep it as an emergency weapon."

Ruby shrugged. "It's not the same."

Weiss snapped her fingers. "Why don't we show them the Blade Concourse? It should provide Ruby and Yang with some valuable information."

Elma turned in the direction of the concourse. "Then follow me. It's right over here."

Elma began the walk, the rest of the crew following her. Lin fell back with Ruby while Weiss, Blake, and Yang went on ahead.

"So," Lin began. "How old are you four, anyway?"

Ruby smiled. "I'm fifteen and the others are all seventeen."

Lin cocked her head to one side. "Seems a little early to begin combat school if you ask me."

Ruby shook her head. "Look who's talking now."

Lin giggled a little as they caught up to the others. Elma had already begun explaining how the Blade Concourse worked.

"Think of this as our way of distributing the work to other Blades. We don't have an official way of assigning missions yet, so Blades stop by here every now and then to pick up missions and tasks."

Weiss looked at the list. "Is this open for anyone to post missions?"

Blake nodded. "It would explain why there are some 'Social Missions' among the others."

Elma pointed out another mission. "Even something like this Specialized Mission: Primordian Puppy can be posted by citizens. Although this mission was posted by a team near the eastern end of Primordia."

Yang looked closer at the mission. "Wait a moment. Ruby, does the picture look familiar?"

Ruby, Weiss, and Blake all looked closer. The photograph featured a small corgi, white face, white belly, black back and ears. Those eyes reminded the whole team of a single dog they knew from back home. Ruby squealed with glee as Weiss let out an "Aww!" Blake took a step back while Yang did an air punch.

"Zwei!" Ruby hollered.

"He made it, too!" Yang chimed in.

"Please keep him away from me," Blake said in a quiet tone.

Weiss held her hands up. "No way are we doing this now! You two haven't learned how to use Frontier Nav just yet!"

Blake shrugged. "I guess we could teach them later, but remember Weiss, you said yourself it was easy enough for Jaune to pick it up and learn it."

Weiss scoffed. "That's not what I meant. There's an order of operations we need to follow. If Frontier Nav is next up, then that's what we're doing."

Yang slapped her hand on Weiss's back, making her lurch forward from the force. "Relax, Weiss. you can handle all of the important uses until Ruby and I get Zwei. We'll need him for these missions."

Weiss contemplated the argument. "Fine, but I will have you learn Frontier Nav next!"

Ruby lead team RWBY away from the mission board and over to the barracks. Nagi was waiting for them outside with something in his hands.

Nagi chuckled upon seeing the energy in Ruby's eyes. "Find a mission you'd like?"

Ruby nodded. "We think we found our team's mascot: my dog Zwei. He was last seen near the southern shore."

Nagi chuckled a little. "Well, before you take off, I have something for your team and your leader. We'll need your members to carry these at all times."

He passed Ruby and Yang two cellular devices. Both girls opened them to reveal a menu with an array of options. Ruby scanned through it quickly, taking note of major categories and key features. When she put hers away, Nagi continued.

"Firstly, I need to know who your team leader is. I assume you'll want to work on your own for a while?"

Weiss nodded. "That would be Ruby here. She was our leader before getting here to Mira."

Nagi nodded. "So it's Team Ruby, right?"

Ruby cut him off. "It's spelled R-W-B-Y. Each letter stands for another member of the team."

Elma piped in. "Doesn't that get…"

Yang jumped in. "Yes, it did get confusing. It usually does."

Nagi shrugged. "So, Team RWBY, with a 'W', right?"

Ruby nodded. "Anything else?"

Nagi opened his comm device and made a few inputs. "I'd like you to meet with me when you return from the mission. It's a private matter, so your team needs to stay at the barracks while you meet with me. Is that permissible?"

Ruby agreed. Nagi set off for BLADE Tower. Elma let Team RWBY run off to accomplish their first mission.

Nagi checked his watch. It was nearly 23:00 hours (or 11 PM for you non-military personnel) and Ruby had not shown up yet. He had received word that she was on her way to BLADE Tower. He wondered whether or not she would arrive before the hour struck. He had not set a specific time to meet up. Standing next to him was General Vandham, arms crossed and mustache trimmed to perfection. Vandham was wearing a sleeveless tank top, cargo pants, and combat boots. Vandham was focused on the screens detailing the Skells in the fields of Primordia.

At 10:59, the door to the elevator opened up and five footsteps were heard. Nagi turned around to see Ruby had stepped off of the lift, her silver eyes glistening in the dimly lit command room.

"Sorry I kept you waiting," she said. "Someone pressed all of the buttons on the way up."

Nagi shook his head. "I'm just glad you made it here before anything dangerous happened to our teams on the front line."

Vandham turned to the new arrival. "This the new team leader you told me about?"

Nagi nodded. "I believe introductions are in order. May I introduce General Vandham, head of field operations and Skell maintenance."

Ruby extended her hand. "I'm Ruby Rose. Nice to meet you."

Vandham shook it. "Likewise, Captain Rose."

Ruby shook her head. "Nope, just Ruby."

Nagi cut in. "She was never in our military before the white whale. Where did you get 'Captain' from?"

Vandham facepalmed. "I was just guessing. How was I to know she'd be one of the huntresses?"

Ruby crossed her arms. "So, you know who we are?"

Nagi nodded. "There are a few things we need to inform you about. Are you ready?"

Ruby let her arms hang down. "How serious are we talking?"

Vandham spoke up. "Firstly, roles as your team's leader. Weiss Schnee will fill you in on Frontier Nav, but she'll handle most of it. Your primary concern is navigation and coordination of your team. Any objections?"

Ruby shook her head. "None. Next?"

Nagi pulled out a small circular, metal object and placed it on the ground. "Secondly, you're going to want to see this before we explain what's going on."

The device powered up and projected a lavender light upward, projecting a figure in the air in front of them. The figure was a human, with dark hair that had streaks of white in it. The man was wearing his usual attire, semi-formal, yet casual at the same time. He wore a cape on his back that covered the sword he kept at his side. Ruby recognized him immediately as her uncle, Qrow Branwen.

Qrow's image began relaying its message. "Hey, kid. If you're seeing this, then you at least survived the trip from Remnant. Listen closely, Remnant isn't looking too good anymore.

"I'll start where I can. Salem and her group of elites were able to destroy Beacon, Haven, and Shade nearly overnight. Ozpin left me and Ironwood in charge of bringing any survivors we could to help save our world, but we ran out of options. As we were able to get you and your team to band together in Atlas, the White Fang closed in and blocked off all access to the outside world. In a last ditch effort, we were able to save four people and send them into an alternate dimension, perhaps allowing them to continue on and help another worthy cause.

"Ruby, I know that I don't have any time left. Right now, you have the tools needed to help another human population survive and thrive. Ozpin set up allies with Nagi from this world long before his time came. If anyone is worthy of your help, it's him."

Qrow paused. "I know it's a lot to take in, but don't worry kiddo, you're built to last. Anyway, from who we were able to send, it looks like it's just you, your sister, the cat-thief, and the last Schnee who are left. You four are the only capable huntresses left on our side, willing to do this."

Qrow looked around as a snarling sound began to play along with his voice. "Ruby, I want you to fight on and live! Don't you give up just because you four are the only ones left from Remnant!"

Qrow drew his sword as a Beowolf slashed at him. "Don't worry about us! Save yourselves and live on! It's what your mom would have wanted."

The image faded away and the light vanished. The door to the elevator opened, revealing Weiss in her battle armor.

The heiress stepped out of the elevator. "You wanted to see me, General?"

Vandham nodded. "Ms. Rose may need some emotional support for the moment."

Weiss wrapped her arm around her partner, who had tears welling up in her eyes. "Ruby?"

Ruby turned into Weiss, clasping both of her arms around her friend. "It's gone!" she whimpered into Weiss's sleeve.

Weiss returned the embrace, trying to calm her leader as best as she could. Vandham turned to Nagi, shaking his head in disapproval. Nagi held a stern look on his face, seeming to hold Vandham from saying anything about the development.

After a moment or two, Ruby was able to slow the flow of tears. "I think I'm ready to continue."

Nagi nodded. "Fortunately, that's the only depressing thing we need to go over. Everything else is just classified information about Blades in general."

Ruby wiped her eyes. "Alright," she sighed. "What's next?"

Ruby and Weiss returned to the BLADE Barracks at 1:00. They were greeted by a small black and white dog running up to her and barking twice at her. Ruby squatted down and patted the head of her dog. "Good to see you, Zwei."

Weiss placed a hand on her partner's shoulder. "You're taking this better than I thought you might."

Ruby shook her head. "Believe me, I'm not. Uncle Qrow, Dad, Yang's mom, your dad-"

Weiss held up her other hand. "No. I do not mourn his death."

Ruby sighed. "The point is that they're gone, leaving us to carry on."

Weiss shook her head. "It's a shame that the only four who could get through were us."

"I don't believe that."

Weiss stepped back. "What?"

Ruby started walking forward, Weiss soon to follow. "I don't think we were the only four to make it here to the other side. We may find something later on that proves me right, so I'm willing to believe."

Weiss shrugged. "What if you are right, but it turns out that Cinder or Salem made it through?"

Ruby sat down on the couch, Zwei curling up at her feet. "I...I don't know."

Weiss moved to sit to Ruby's right. "If I know one thing about this situation, I'd rather be wrong and never know it than be right for the wrong reasons. If there are other huntsmen and huntresses out there, we'll find them."

Ruby sighed. "Let's just hope that we're ready for anything that comes up."

Weiss placed her left arm around Ruby. "One day at a time."

Ruby leaned in towards her partner and drifted off to sleep, cradled by her partner who would stand with her through thick and thin.

Questions? I'm sure you have something to ask. Review with your questions and they may be answered here.

First, we need to address the elephant in the room. "When are you updating Doom: GTOV?"

Okay! Okay! I need to explain why this story is getting out before that one can update. I wrote this story a while ago and recently completed the sixth chapter. Doom: GTOV is coming back for the Vytal Festival, but we will not be continuing past that point in the same story. Your next few chapters to that story are coming, I promise. Please hold on just a little longer while I make sure they are perfect.

Secondly, the next update is going to be January 29th. I want people to get comfortable with a bi-weekly schedule because it allows me to use any/all free time towards these stories while giving readers a specified time to set aside on Mondays. My free time is nearly gone at this point, but I'll do as much as I can whenever I can. Most of you publishers know this is the toughest position to be in.

Thirdly, I need to make one more announcement. I have been hard at work on the D&D styled Fire Emblem system. I am hoping to release it by next Christmas, but until then, "Project Emblem" will be in Alpha and Beta testing. Once I've published it, you all will be the first group to know how to get it for yourselves.

Thanks for reading. See you all next time.